Archery bows with brace rod receivers and brace rods for mounting bow handle grip in variable positions relative to archery bows

ABSTRACT

The invention encompasses archery bows that comprise brace rods configured to detachably couple with an archery bow bridged handle. In one aspect of the invention, a handle grip configured with brace rod receivers at opposing ends of the handle grip is detachably joined with brace rods connected to the bridged handle. The handle grip may then be selectably positioned along the brace rods and the distance between the handle grip portion and the bow string may be adjusted to accommodate different draw lengths and grip angles of various archers. In another embodiment, an end of the handle grip comprises a slotted aperture configured to accommodate a brace rod receiver so that the brace rod receiver may be fastened at various positions along the slotted aperture changing the angle of the handle grip relative to the brace rod receiver.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to archery bows, and more specifically to an archery bow that includes a handle with brace rod receivers that can be coupled with and is moveable along brace rods attached to the archery bow.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Archery bows are configured with a bow handle, a bow frame, and opposing limbs extending outward from the bow frame and configured to accommodate a drawstring. When an archer pulls back on the drawstring to full draw position, typically the draw length is approximately the length of the archer's arm so that the drawstring is about even with the archer's lips. The draw length and appropriate grip angle for different sized archers will vary according to the individual archer's particular body type and arm length.

Most archery bows have an adjustable draw length to accommodate differing draw lengths of individual archers. On a compound bow that utilizes eccentric wheels, or cams, to attach the drawstring to the limbs of the bow, the draw length is changed by changing the attachment of the drawstring to the cams. A limb compressor is needed to release the drawstring from the limbs and to prevent any damage to the bow. For this reason, the draw length of a bow is not easily adjusted by the archer. The archer generally must take the bow to a technician with the proper equipment for adjusting draw length.

A general goal of archery bow designs is to increase the speed and accuracy of an arrow fired from an archery bow. Having a properly adjusted archery bow so that the draw length and grip angle of the bow is configured to accommodate an individual archer's body type and draw length allows the archer to achieve full draw on the drawstring and transfer maximum force from the drawstring to the arrow when the drawstring is released and energy is transferred from the drawstring to the arrow. In light of the above discussed goals, it would be desirable to develop an archery bow in which the draw length and grip angle is more easily adjustable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the following accompanying documents.

FIG. 1 is a side view of an archery bow illustrating a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating an archer using a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a front view of an archery bow illustrating a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of the archery bow structure of FIG. 1 emphasizing a side view of a portion of the archery brace rod and brace rod receiver of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an archery bow brace rod with threaded extension and a threaded nut of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of an archery brace rod as shown coupled with an archery bow brace rod receiver of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view of an archery bow brace rod illustrating an embodiment of the threaded extension and threaded nut coupled with an aperture in the bridged handle of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view of an archery bow brace rod illustrating an embodiment of the threaded extension of the archery bow brace rod and threaded nut being forwardly placed into the inner portion of an aperture in the bridged handle of the archery bow structure of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary side view of an embodiment of the archery bow illustrating the threaded extension and threaded nut after being secured into the inner aperture portion of the bridged handle of the archery bow of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view of an embodiment of the invention illustrating the brace rod receivers adjustably moveable along the brace rods.

FIG. 11 is a side view of an embodiment of the invention illustrating the brace rod receivers adjustably moveable along the brace rods.

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of a handle grip, brace rods, and brace rod receivers of an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In describing the preferred embodiments, certain terminology will be utilized for the sake of clarity. Such terminology is intended to encompass the recited embodiment, as well as all technical equivalents, which operate in a similar manner for a similar purpose to achieve a similar result.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of an archery bow, hereinafter archery bow 10, with a draw length and grip angle capable of being adjusted to accommodate an individual archer's draw length and grip angle. Exemplary archery bow 10 comprises a pair of limbs 12 a and 12 b attached to a bridged handle 14. Archery bow 10 defines a major longitudinal axis “X” and a transverse axis “Y” extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis “X”. Bow 10 further comprises a cable 16, for example, a string or drawstring, which extends between first and second limbs 12 a and 12 b. Brace rods 18 a and 18 b may be detachably joined to bridged handle 14 along transverse axis “Y”. Handle grip 20 is positioned longitudinally and forwardly displaced along axis “Y” from the bridged handle 14. Handle grip 20 comprises a first end 22 a and a second end 22 b opposed to first end 22 a. Brace rod receivers 24 a and 24 b are detachably connected to handle grip ends 22 a and 22 b and are configured to receive an archery bow brace rod 18.

Axis “Z” extends perpendicularly from axis “X” and axis “Y”. Bridged handle 14 is configured so that a portion of the bridged handle 14 is displaced from the major longitudinal axis “X” along axis “Z” and is substantially parallel to major longitudinal axis “X”.

The bridged handle 14 is further configured with at least two apertures 28 and 30 positioned along bridged handle 14. Brace rod 18 may be configured with threaded extension 32 extending through brace rod 18, threaded extension 32 configured to matingly receive a threaded nut 34, for example, but not limited to, a barrel nut. Apertures 28 and 30 are configured to accommodate threaded extension 32 and threaded nut 34. Apertures 28 and 30 are further configured with an outer aperture portion 36 and an inner aperture portion 38, with inner aperture portion 38 being forwardly positioned along the “Y” axis within bridged handle 14, with the direction “forwardly” being defined as the direction in which an arrow would be launched from bow 10. Brace rod 18 may be tightened to bridged handle 14 by coupling the threaded extension 32 and threaded nut 34 with aperture 28 or 30, forwardly positioning threaded extension 32 and threaded nut 34 along axis “Y” into inner aperture portion 38 within bridged handle 14 and then tightening brace rod 18 to bridged handle 14 by rotating brace rod 18 so that threaded extension 32 matingly receives threaded nut 34 until brace rod 18 is secured against bridged handle 14. Apertures 28 and 30 may be further configured so that aperture 28 is located on the bridged handle 14 along the major longitudinal axis “X” and aperture 30 is located on the displaced portion of bridged handle 14 along axis “Z” and further configured so that aperture 30 is longitudinally displaced from aperture 28 along the bridged handle 14.

In alternate embodiments of the present invention, apertures 28 and 30 may be located at different points along bridged handle 14, and further configured so that inner aperture portion 38 is displaced in a variety of directions relative to the longitudinal “X” axis, for example, but not limited to, substantially upward or downward along the “X” axis within the bridged handle 14 of archery bow 10.

In an embodiment of the present invention variable positioning of a brace rod receiver 24 along brace rod 18 is permitted relative to archery bow 10. More specifically, the embodiment of the present invention permits displacement of a brace rod receiver 24 across a range of variable positions determined by an archer's placement of the brace rod receivers 24 along the brace rods 18. Brace rod receivers 24 a and 24 b may be detachably coupled to brace rods 18 a and 18 b, allowing handle grip 20 to be variably positioned along the brace rods 18 a and 18 b so that the archer may selectably determine the placement of the handle grip 20. This allows the archer to position handle grip 20 along brace rods 18 a and 18 b to correspond to the individual archer's grip angle and draw length when cable 16 of bow 10 is fully drawn to shoot an arrow. In one embodiment of the invention, handle grip 20 is comprised of a body 40 positioned longitudinally between the first end and second end 22 a and 22 b of handle grip 20. Handle grip 20 is further configured with a handgrip 42 configured to be grasped by an archer's hand. Handle grip ends 22 a and 22 b are further configured with an aperture 48 configured to accommodate a fastener 46 which may comprise, but is not limited to, for example, a pin, a screw or bolt or combination thereof. Brace rod receivers 24 a and 24 b may be fastened to the handle grip 20 and secured by fastener 46. The archer may detachably couple the brace rod receivers 24 a and 24 b along the archery bow brace rods 18 a and 18 b. Once the brace rod receivers 24 a and 24 b have been detachably coupled along archery bow brace rods 18 a and 18 b, the fastener 46 may be tightened to prevent further movement along the brace rods 18 a and 18 b.

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a single brace rod 18 may be coupled with an aperture 28 located along bridged handle 14. Brace rod 18 may be detachably coupled with a brace rod receiver 24 that may be detachably connected to handle grip 20 at various points along handle grip 20. Handle grip 20 may be further configured so that a single brace rod receiver 24 is connected to handle grip 20 and detachably coupled with a single brace rod 18.

In an alternate embodiment, second end 22 b of handle grip 20 further comprises a slotted aperture 48 configured so that fastener 46 of brace rod receiver 24 may be selectably positioned across a range of positions along the slotted aperture 48 and fastener 46 may be fastened at a position chosen by the archer along slotted aperture 48, thereby increasing or decreasing the angle of handle grip 20 and hand grip 42 relative to bridged handle 14 of archery bow 10. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, archery bow handle grip 20 further comprises a plurality of cavities 50 configured to receive an archery bow sight window 52. An archer may then selectably determine the position of the sight window 52 depending upon placement in cavities 50.

Referring now generally to the figures, and more specifically to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 illustrates a first embodiment of archery bow 10 as used by an archer. FIG. 2 illustrates placement of handle grip 20 to correspond with the archer's individual draw length when cable 16 of bow 10 is fully drawn to shoot an arrow.

Referring now generally to the figures, and more specifically to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of an archery bow 10. FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of archery bow 10 where bridged handle 14 is configured so that a portion of the bridged handle 14 is displaced from the major longitudinal axis “X” along transverse axis “Z” and is substantially parallel to major longitudinal axis “X”.

Referring now generally to the figures, and more specifically to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of bow 10 illustrating aperture 30 positioned along bridged handle 14. FIG. 4 illustrates brace rod 18 configured with threaded extension 32 extending through brace rod 18, threaded extension 32 configured to matingly receive threaded nut 34 which may comprise, for example, but not limited to, a barrel nut. FIG. 4 illustrates aperture 30 configured to accommodate threaded extension 32 and threaded nut 34. Aperture 30 is further configured with an outer aperture portion 36 and an inner aperture portion 38, with inner aperture portion 38 being forwardly positioned within bridged handle 14, with the direction “forwardly” being defined as the direction in which an arrow would be launched from bow 10. Brace rod 18 may be tightened to bridged handle 14 by coupling the threaded extension 32 and threaded nut 34 with aperture 28 or 30, forwardly positioning threaded extension 32 and threaded nut 34 into inner aperture portion 38 within bridged handle 14 and then tightening brace rod 18 to bridged handle 14 by rotating brace rod 18 so that threaded extension 32 further matingly receives threaded nut 34, thereby securing brace rod 18 to bridged handle 14.

Referring now generally to the figures, and more specifically to FIG. 5, FIG. 5 illustrates a brace rod 18 including the threaded extension 32 and threaded nut 34 prior to coupling and insertion into aperture 28 or 30. In various embodiments of the present invention, threaded nut 34 comprises a barrel nut, but in other embodiments may comprise, but is not limited to, a nut, bolt, combination thereof, or other fastener.

Referring now generally to the figures, and more specifically to FIG. 6, FIG. 6 illustrates brace rod receiver 24 as coupled with brace rod 18. Once brace rod receiver 24 is detachably coupled to brace rod 18, brace rod receiver 24 may be selectably positioned by the archer along brace rod 18 and then fastened with fastener 46 so that the archer may selectably determine the placement of handle grip 20 to accommodate the individual archer's draw length when cable 16 of bow 10 is fully drawn to shoot an arrow.

Referring now generally to the figures, and more specifically to FIGS. 7-9, FIGS. 7-9 illustrate an embodiment of bow 10 whereby brace rod 18 is fastened to the bridged handle 14 by coupling threaded extension 32 and threaded nut 34 with either aperture 28 or 30. Once coupled with aperture 28 or 30, threaded extension 32 and threaded nut 34 may be forwardly placed into inner aperture portion 38 within bridged handle 14 and threaded extension 32 tightened with threaded nut 34 so that brace rod 18 is secured to bridged handle 14.

Referring now generally to the figures, and more specifically to FIGS. 10-11, FIGS. 10-11 illustrate an embodiment of bow 10 illustrating brace rod receivers 24 a and 24 b detachably coupled with brace rods 18 a and 18 b. Brace rod receivers 24 a and 24 b may be selectably positioned across a range of variable positions along brace rods 18 a and 18 b whereby the distance of the handle grip 20 and the angle of handgrip 42 is adjustable to correspond with an individual archer's draw length and grip angle.

Referring now generally to the figures, and more specifically to FIG. 12, FIG. 12 illustrates an exploded view of handle grip 20, brace rods 18 a and 18 b, and brace rod receivers 24 a and 24 b of archery bow 10 prior to brace rod receivers 24 a and 24 b being detachably connected to handle grip ends 22 a and 22 b. FIG. 12 further illustrates slotted aperture 48 of handle grip end 22 b configured so that fastener 46 of brace rod receiver 24 b may be selectably positioned across a range of positions along the slotted aperture 48 and fastener 46 fastened at a position chosen by the archer along slotted aperture 48. The angle of handgrip 42 may be increased or decreased depending upon where the archer positions the fastener 46 of brace rod receiver 24 b along the slotted aperture 48, as well as where the archer positions brace rod receiver 24 b along brace rod 18 b. In alternative embodiments slotted aperture 48 may be located in handle grip end 22 a, 22 b, or both 22 a and 22 b.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiments can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Other suitable fabrication, manufacturing, assembly, and test techniques known in the art can be applied in numerous specific modalities by one skilled in the art and in light of the description of the present invention described herein. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein. The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the knowledge of one skilled in the art and in light of the disclosures presented above. 

I claim:
 1. An archery bow structure defining a major longitudinal axis comprising: A first limb; A second limb longitudinally displaced from said first limb; A bridged handle positioned longitudinally between said first and second limbs; A cable extending between said limbs; At least one brace rod, said brace rod configured to detachably join to said bridged handle; A handle grip positioned longitudinally and forwardly displaced from said bridged handle, said handle grip comprising a first end and a second end opposed to said first end; At least one brace rod receiver, said brace rod receiver configured to detachably join to said handle grip and configured to receive an archery bow brace rod.
 2. The archery bow structure of claim 1 wherein said handle grip comprises a first brace rod receiver connected to said first end of said handle grip, and a second brace rod receiver connected to said second end of said handle grip.
 3. The archery bow structure of claim 2 further comprising a first brace rod and a second brace rod opposed to said first brace rod, said first and second brace rods detachably joined to said bridged handle and configured to accommodate said first and second brace rod receivers of said handle grip.
 4. The archery bow structure of claim 1 wherein said bridged handle is configured so that a portion of said bridged handle is displaced from and substantially parallel to the major longitudinal axis.
 5. The archery bow structure of claim 1 wherein said handle grip further comprises at least one cavity configured to accommodate an archery site window.
 6. The archery bow structure of claim 3 wherein said archery bow brace rod further comprises: A threaded extension extending through and outwardly from said brace rod; and A threaded nut configured to detachably matingly couple with said threaded extension.
 7. The archery bow structure of claim 6 wherein said bridged handle further comprises at least two apertures, said apertures configured to detachably couple with said brace rods.
 8. The archery bow structure of claim 7 wherein at least one aperture is located on the portion of said bridged handle configured along said major longitudinal axis and at least one aperture is located on said portion of the bridged handle displaced from the longitudinal axis.
 9. The archery bow structure of claim 7 wherein a portion of said aperture is configured to accommodate said threaded extension of said archery brace rod and a portion of said aperture is configured to accommodate said barrel nut matingly coupled with said threaded extension.
 10. The archery bow structure of claim 9 wherein said aperture further comprises an outer aperture portion and an inner aperture portion forwardly displaced from said outer portion, said outer and inner portions configured to accommodate said threaded extension and said barrel nut of said brace rod, and further configured so that said threaded extension and said barrel nut are first coupled with the outer portion of said aperture and then forwardly placed by an archer into said inner portion of said aperture to whereby said barrel nut is secured in said bridged handle of said archery bow.
 11. The archery bow structure of claim 9 wherein said archery bow brace rods are configured so that said threaded extension and said threaded nut of said first brace rod is removably coupled with said first aperture in said bridged handle and said threaded extension and said threaded nut of said second brace rod is removably coupled with said second aperture in said bridged handle, whereby said first brace rod is opposed from said second brace rod and said brace rods extend outward transversely from the major longitudinal axis.
 12. The archery bow structure of claim 11 wherein said brace rod is a stabilizer.
 13. The archery bow structure of claim 1 wherein said handle grip further comprises: A handle grip body between said first and second handle grip ends; A handgrip portion positioned longitudinally along said handle grip body between said first and second handle grip ends, said handgrip portion configured to be grasped by an archer's hand; and An at least one aperture at said first and second handle grip ends.
 14. The archery bow structure of claim 13 wherein said brace rod receiver is configured with a fastener configured to insert into said aperture of said handle grip end to permit detachably joining said brace rod receiver to said handle grip end.
 15. The archery bow structure of claim 14 wherein said fastener comprises a screw, pin, nut, wing nut, barrel nut, clamp, clasp or combination thereof.
 16. The archery bow structure of claim 14 wherein said brace rod receiver is configured to detachably couple with said brace rod and is further configured to be movable along said brace rod to permit variable positioning of said brace rod receiver along said brace rod.
 17. The archery bow structure of claim 16 wherein said fastener of said brace rod receiver is configured to tighten so that said brace rod receiver remains in a stationary position on said brace rod.
 18. The archery bow structure of claim 17 wherein said first brace rod receiver of said handle grip is detachably coupled with said first brace rod, and said second brace rod receiver of said handle grip is detachably coupled with said second brace rod, whereby said handle grip is positioned between said first and second brace rods.
 19. The archery bow structure of claim 18 wherein said brace rod receivers of said handle grip are further configured to permit variable positioning along said first and second brace rods so that the angle of said handle grip relative to the major longitudinal axis of said archery bow is selectably determined by the archer.
 20. The archery bow structure of claim 18 wherein said brace rod receivers of said archery handle grip are configured to permit variable positioning along said archery brace rods so that said handle is selectably positioned between said first and second brace rods whereby the distance between said handle grip and said bow string is selectably determined by the archer.
 21. The archery bow structure of claim 13 wherein said second end of said handle grip further comprises a slotted aperture configured to permit variable positioning along said slotted aperture so that said fastener of said brace rod receiver is selectably positioned and fastened along said slotted aperture whereby the angle of the handle grip relative to the major longitudinal axis of said archery bow is adjustably determined by the archer.
 22. An archery bow structure defining a major longitudinal axis comprising: A first limb; A second limb longitudinally displaced from said first limb; A bridged handle positioned longitudinally between said first and second limbs; A cable extending between said limbs; A first brace rod and a second brace rod opposed to said first brace rod, said first and second brace rods detachably joined to said bridged handle; A handle grip positioned longitudinally and forwardly displaced from said bridged handle, said handle grip comprising a first end and a second end opposed to said first end; A first brace rod receiver and a second brace rod receiver, said first brace rod receiver detachably joined to said first end of said handle grip and said second brace rod receiver detachably joined to said second end of said handle grip, said first brace rod receiver configured to detachably couple with said first brace rod and said second brace rod receiver configured to detachably couple with said second brace rod. 